I know I’m a bit biased but no other shopping centre in Toronto celebrates the holidays like Yorkdale. The centre wants to help guests finish their holiday shopping but Yorkdale also wants to give back to the community. If you follow me on Instagram then you saw a few pictures of me and Fashion Santa (#FashionSanta). Yorkdale is proud to introduce the world to Fashion Santa. Modelled by Toronto’s Paul Mason, Fashion Santa is the face of Yorkdale’s holiday campaign. Fashion Santa made his debut on Black Friday and will be at Yorkdale taking #SelfiesForSickKids every Saturday in December from noon to 8 p.m. at Yorkdale. Shoppers can snap a selfie with Fashion Santa for $5, with proceeds going to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. Take a silly, fun or creative picture with Fashion Santa or you could take the assignment seriously like me. When I met Fashion Santa I channelled my inner 90’s super model and was posing hard. I just couldn’t help it, Fashion Santa brought out my inner Naomi Campbell. I named myself Mrs. Fashion Claus. Just don’t tell my husband.

“The holidays really are a time for giving and there are more thoughtful, unique gift options available than ever,” said Lucia Connor, Marketing Director of Yorkdale Shopping Centre. “Deciding on the right gift for a loved one can be tough, especially because no one wants to be asked what they want by someone who knows them so well. A good starting point is to ask what their favourite stores or designers are and then narrow it down from there.” If anyone knows how to help you it’s Yorkdale.

In time for the holidays, Yorkdale is launching a full of suite of services designed to offer shoppers the most relaxing shopping experience possible, including a Gift Guide full of ideas for even the toughest person on your list.

Yorkdale App Live Chat puts top shopping advice at your fingertips
Yorkdale’s updated shopping app includes a new live chat feature allowing shoppers to reach a Guest Service rep directly through their smart phones. The app also provides parking updates every 15 minutes so passengers can update drivers on the best place to park, reservations to Dine on 3 so you can dine in style without scouting for a seat, in centre directions so you can map out your shopping trips and news updates from your favourite stores. I always visit the centre right when it opens during the weekdays. Never have to look for parking and my shopping has been stress free.

Swarovski Crystal Wonderland
Yorkdale’s Swarovski Crystal Wonderland will spread holiday magic throughout Yorkdale Shopping Centre with two spectacular scenes. An enchanted crystalized forest full of beautiful iconic Canadian wildlife will surround Santa’s magical sleigh in West Court and a breathtaking Swarovski tree adorned with 20,000 Swarovski crystals will glisten in Yorkdale’s Centre Court. The entire magical wonderland will sparkle with hundreds of Swarovski ornaments and will be on display beginning November 12 through the end of 2014. Follow the conversation: #Time2Sparkle. I never get tired of seeing the magic this brings to me and all other shoppers.

Customized ornaments to support the Hospital for Sick Children
This is the last Saturday from 10 am to noon, that guests can come to Yorkdale to decorate an ornament with Swarovski crystals for a $20 donation, with proceeds going to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. Participants will receive their own decorating kit, complete with a frosted ornament and a collection of Swarovski crystal elements to customize their own sparkling holiday masterpiece. For advance sign-up, visit www.yorkdale.com.